President Trump’s nominee to become the next U.S. surgeon general appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Wednesday, where she declined to encourage parents to have their kids vaccinated against measles and influenza. Casey Means is a wellness influencer, author and entrepreneur. She and her brother, Calley Means, are key figures in the “Make America Healthy Again” movement and were advisers to Health Secretary RFK Jr. during his 2024 presidential campaign. Casey Means has a medical degree from Stanford University but did not complete her surgical residency and allowed her medical license to expire in 2024. Under questioning from Senator Tim Kaine, Means repeatedly refused to state whether she agreed with RFK Jr. that there is “no evidence” flu vaccines prevent serious disease.

Sen. Tim Kaine: “There is a mountain of evidence about this. Do you believe that there’s no evidence that there’s — the flu vaccine has efficacy in reducing serious injury or hospitalization?” 

Casey Means: “I — I — I want to be careful with” —

Sen. Tim Kaine: “This is an easy one, Doctor. This is an easy one.”

Casey Means: “I support the CDC’s guidance on the flu vaccine, and I will always be working with the CDC ACIP and the agencies to make sure” —

Sen. Tim Kaine: “Oh, so you believe it is an efficacious vaccine to reduce hospitalization and” –

Casey Means: “Is or is not?”

Sen. Tim Kaine: “Is. You believe it is?”

Casey Means: “As I said, I support the CDC’s guidance on the flu vaccine.”